Communications

Academic Advocate's Work Impacts Student Success and Offers ARISE Course.

The Office of Academic Advocacy (OAA) at the University of South Florida (USF) plays a pivotal role in supporting student success through personalized care management and dedicated academic advocacy. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the OAA team contributed to the university’s retention and graduation success, with a 91% retention rate for the 2022 cohort into fall 2023, a 65% four-year graduation rate for the 2019 cohort, and a 77% six-year graduation rate for the 2017 cohort. Each cohort are First-Time-in-College (FTIC) students at the Tampa campus.

The OAA’s team of academic advocates combines data analytics with a personalized approach to case management, identifying at-risk students early and providing proactive interventions. The data analytics are integrated into a practitioner-informed dashboard for Student Monitoring and Risk Tracking (SMART). SMART leverages machine learning and practitioner insights to increase student retention and provide assistance that leads to graduation.

The advocate’s focus is on addressing individual student needs, offering guidance, and helping students overcome academic and personal challenges that may hinder their progress. Working closely with students, the team identifies obstacles, connects them with appropriate campus resources, and implements tailored support plans that foster both academic success and personal well-being.

Care management within the OAA framework takes a holistic approach, with academic advocates acting as liaisons between students and university resources. They offer interventions for students facing difficulties such as academic struggles, mental health concerns, financial stress, or personal crises. Through regular check-ins, advocates provide continuous support, monitor student progress, and adjust their strategies as needed to help students succeed throughout their academic journey.

Leslie Tod, director of the OAA, has played a key role in developing this care management model. As USF's retention and graduation rates have drawn attention and accolades, many universities have sought guidance on how to implement a similar system. To meet this growing demand, Tod developed the ARISE course, which teaches USF’s case management model. ARISE addresses critical elements of their practice model (Assess, Relate, Inform, Situate, and Educate) that can be adopted and implemented to any institution's practice to improve student outcomes. Find more information and register for the course.

USF's Office of Academic Advocacy, along with it academic advocates an the ARISE course, exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to student care management. By combining personalized support with advanced data tools, USF ensures that students receive the resources they need to excel both academically and personally, setting a benchmark for universities nationwide.